Anyone know how much (little) game developers get?

Ok. I am having a quarter-life crisis. I have been doing business/web programming in C++/Java for a while now and to be honest I am board to tears with it. I really want to do something fun like game development. I have been learning DX8 the past couple of months and I think I could finagle my way into a position writing games.

The problem is I know the pay is going to suck compared to what I get now. Can anyone offer any advice? Am I just nuts?

 

[warcleric]

I know a person trying to get an RPG off the ground....alot of big game developers have gotten noticed by writing a popular shareware or freeware title....if you want I can put him in contact with you.

 

wc: Thanks, I'll let you know. I am going to see if there are any development shops in NYC. It does not look like there are many. I am going to feel it out and see what the pay and all is like.

 

[Descartes]

I feel for ya dwell.

Unfortunately, I've grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle that's afforded by my current development niche. I spend quite a bit of my free time working on things I enjoy, so I don't go mad working on the same old day in day out.

Good luck.

 

[metallibloke]

I used to work for a games company and last month they made me redundant.

 

[DDCSpeed]

Blizzzardsss <--Let me distort the name actually came out to recruit people at my school.

The key is knowing good algorithms and math.

The young guy who i talked to says they dont make that much money and they are in the business for the passion of games. However, I do notice nice little things on him such as a rolex and Georgio Armani shirts and ties....and very shiny shoes. I did see him drove out in a M3 after the seminar...so I suspect he is trying to scare away people who arent into the games and only in the money.

He did say 1 good/bad thing. they work hard <--very little sleep for about 9 month for 1 game...and they go on vacation for 3. Kinda like school but more money and less work.

If you get to be QA....you are in heaven. get paid to play game

 

[metallibloke]

Good point, QA is the place to be. Not only do you get to play the games all day, but if you know your programming, you get to advise on how things should be done, and maybe even write bits yourself.

 

[StageLeft]

Unless you get lucky the money probably isn't that great because so many other people want to do it! I was working with a company as one of their only game developers last year and the pay was ass so I left. Of course this is just one example...

 

I don't really want to do QA, I play enough games at home. I want to be in the creative end of things. I come from a very systems oriented background, a lot of C/C++ and ASM. Over the past few years I drifted (too far) into business programming. If I have to look at one more UML diagram, urgh . Basically, I want to get back to my roots.

I know a lot of the basic math - matrices, vectors, transformations, etc. I am thinking of taking a class in linear algebra to ice all those concepts.

In the end I guess it's a matter of personal happiness vs. staying where I am and making a lot of money. It's all good either way I guess.

 

[breakit23]

You can do stuff for a certain gaming community make mods bots etc.

I know someone who did alot for H-l community including coding Front line force mod. Valve offered him a job position. Recruited from venezuela.


I know someone else who made a bot for SOF he also made Jumbot bot for H-l, Sci hunt mod and they hired him to work at raven.

So if you do some nice work show that you know what your doing you might be able to get a nifty job.

 

[HansHurt]

My best friend spent a two years in his basement writing code for a strategy game he developed (graphical engine incl.) . The company he signed on with STOLE it all, and gave him the big run around. It's been a year since then, and he still is being taken for a ride :|




Careful who you deal with.

 

[Descartes]

He &quot;signed&quot; with them, and they &quot;stole&quot; it?

Before spending 2 years on a project, I'd make sure my lawyer looked over my contract.